Our Story
Similar interests, trials, losses over the years...and now a new
beginning. It was the first month of a new year; and on the last
American Airlines flight to frigid New York, they met. He, on a business
trip, she returning home from a short vacation in Jamaica. They kept in
touch and remained supportive of each other though life’s vicissitudes.
But God had a plan. He brought Chris and Kayon together to offer a new
chance at loving and living holistically and authentically, growing
daily in a spiritual union solidified only by God. And their story
continues….

Part-2

Kby Nelson Christian Stokes

Pedro Plains sail to Turquoise Sea
Peaceful Carib wind heading westerly
Lovers Leap in the truth of trust
Row not drift, not if I may I must

Pellucid diamond in the midst of coal
Spunk and spirit and unfettered soul
Light of the world gifted light to my life
Through His grace alone
I’ll make you my wife

Words from the head may be reasoned away
Echoes of the heart only are there to stay
Listen then to its drums and not my lips
Hand on my chest with fingertips

Come to me now through the veils of time
Yesterday and its yesterday are
now so sublime
All I see is new day before new day
All that is constant is my love for you

The wedding
ceremony of the Orthodox Church is an ancient and meaningful service
steeped in ritual and symbolism. One of the seven Sacraments, it has
been celebrated in its present form for centuries. In it, the bride and
groom make a solemn promise before God to love and be true to one
another. Marriage is more than a public agreement between a man and
woman to share their lives together; it is an action sealed by the Lord
Himself. Everything in the ceremony has a special meaning and
significance, especially the repetition of each act three times to
symbolize the mystical presence of the Holy Trinity.

Part-2

An Orthodox wedding
differs from the customary marriage services of other Christian
communities. There are no vows exchanged. In fact, the bride and groom
do not even speak to each other during the service. This is because,
according to Orthodox theology, this is a Sacrament of the Church rather
than a contract between two people. The couple is in the church to
receive Christ's blessing and his community, through the priest.

The Orthodox marriage ceremony consists of two parts, the Service of the
Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning

The Betrothal
Prayers are chanted, asking God to grant Niki and Chris perfect and
peaceful love and salvation and to bless them with children. The priest
then blesses the rings. The rings become the visible pledge of the
betrothal and symbolize the unbreakable commitment of the couple, based
on their mutual consent. Holding the rings in his right hand, the priest
makes the sign of the cross over their heads three times. He then places
the rings on the fourth finger of their right hands and the koumbara
exchanges them three times. The exchange signifies that, in married
life, the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of
the other, the imperfection of one, by the perfections of the other, by
themselves, the newly betrothed are incomplete, but together they are
made perfect. The Betrothal ends with a prayer that the Lord might make
strong their betrothal in faith, truth and love, make them of one mind,
and grant them His Heavenly blessings.

The Sacrament of Marriage

The Crowning

During the crowning
service, which is the climax of the wedding, the Priest, in several
prayers and petitions, asks Almighty God to bless the marriage and to
grant to the groom and bride a long and peaceful life, fidelity, mutual
love and understanding, children, happiness and prosperity. At the end
of the third prayer, the priest, who calls upon God "to join them into
one mind and one flesh," unites the right hands of the groom and bride,
an act in which depicts the unbreakable and everlasting unity of the
couple.

The wedding crowns "stefana"
(stefana) are signs of the glory and honor with which God crowns the
couple during the sacrament. The stefana, joined with a ribbon
signifying the unity of the couple, are held aloft by the priest as he
blesses them. The crowns are placed on Niki and Chris and they become
husband and wife, king and queen of their home, which they must rule
with wisdom, integrity, justice and love. The koumbara exchanges the
crowns on their heads three times as a witness to the sealing of the
union.

Part-3

The Common Cup

Following the
crowning, St. Paul's Epistle to Ephesians is read, regarding the mystery
and holiness of marriage and the responsibility of a husband and wife to
each other. The Gospel is read, describing the marriage at Cana of
Galilee that was attended and blessed by Christ. There He reserved his
first miracle by converting water into wine and gave of it to the
newlyweds. In remembrance of this blessing, the priest gives the husband
and wife a cup of wine from which they each drink three times. Niki and
Chris drink from the "Common Cup" of life, denoting the mutual sharing
of joy and sorrow, the token of a life of harmony. Their joys will be
doubled and their sorrows halved, because they will be shared.

The Ceremonial
Walk: The Dance of Isaiah

The Priest then
leads Niki and Chris in a circle around the table three times while
hymns are chanted. The hymns remind the couple of the sacrificial love
they are to have for each other in marriage. The Gospel book and Cross
on the table, firmly place Jesus Christ at the center of their marriage.
The circle represents eternity and the couple's oath to preserve their
marriage forever. These are their first steps as a couple and the
Church, embodied in the priest, leads them. As they walk, the Koumbara
holds the crowns that are on the couple's heads. At the conclusion of
the Ceremonial Walk, the priest removes the crowns from Niki and Chris
and asks God to grant them a long, happy, and fruitful life together. He
then separates their hands, reminding them that only God can separate
them from one another.

It is interesting to
note:

The right hands
are used in putting on the rings. According to all Biblical knowledge we
have, it is the right hand of God that blesses; it was to the right hand
of the Father that Christ ascended; it is the right that those who will
inherit eternal life will go. Thus, in the Sacrament of Marriage, the
Church preserves the superiority of the right hand.

Koufeta is a Greek word of Latin origin for Jordan Almonds (bitter-sweet
sugar coated almonds). In the early days of the Church, koufeta were
distributed to the newlyweds to symbolize the bitterness and sweetness
of the married life. The tradition of the koufeta is being carried for
over 2000 years and its meaning is shaped according to the culture where
the wedding takes place. In the Greek culture, an odd number of white
koufeta are given to the guests. The white symbolizes purity, the egg
shape fertility and love with no boundaries. The odd-prime number of
koufeta is indivisible, and it symbolizes the inseparable bond between
the husband and wife.

The Bride and Groom are given white candles to hold throughout the
service. The lighted candles symbolize their beliefs in Jesus Christ,
the light of the world, and the purity of their lives, which should
shine with the light of virtue.

Part-4

We would
like to thank each and every one of you for sharing our special day with
us. We would especially like to thank our parents for all of the love
and support they have given us throughout our lives. Your love and
support means the world to us, not only today but also in the days to
come.

We welcome
you, dear Rev. Fathers, family and friends, on this most beautiful and
special day to share with us and be a part of this celebration of love.
Thank you for coming to witness our marriage. XXX and YYY

XXXRev.
XXXYYY

Co-CelebrantsRev. XXX
Rev. XXXYYY

ReadingsXXX
XXX
YYYY

Parents of the Bride Parents of the Groom
XXX & YYY XXX & YYY

Maid of Honour Best Man
XXXX YYY

Flower Girls Garland Offerers
XXX YYY
XXX YYY

Symbolisms in an Indian Christian
Marriage Ceremony

Minnu/Thali (Pendant)The minnu is an Indian custom
incorporated into Kerala Christian marriages. It is a pendant with a
cross, the symbol of Christianity, on a gold medallion shaped like a
heart. The heart symbolizes the concept of love, and the cross reflects
that the relationship between a husband and wife should be in the image
of the relationship between Jesus and his bride, the Church.
Seven Strands of ThreadThe minnu is put on seven strands
of thread from the manthrakodi. Seven represents the Sabbath, the
seventh day, which is the day of rest, as well as the seven gifts of the
Holy Spirit. The groom ‘ties the knot’ around the bride’s neck. This
signifies the lifelong inseparable bond established in marriage.

Part-2

Manthrakodi (Sari)Manthra means
specially blessed and kodi means new clothes. Placing the
manthrakodi upon the bride’s head symbolizes Rebecca, who took a
veil and covered herself when she first saw Isaac. This was an act of
humility, chastity and devotion to her lifelong partner united in
marriage by God. The groom accepts the responsibility to care for and
cherish his bride. A woman from the groom’s family stands behind the
bride, signifying the reception into the home of her husband.

XXX (Unity Candle) The XXX (not to be mistaken for
the bride) is lit from the bride and groom’s two individual candles and
shows the congregation that two distinct lives are now joined together
in dependence and growing maturity.

Wedding RingsRings are exchanged between the bride and
the groom. The circular rings have no end symbolize the mutual love and
affection that should continuously flow between the couple.
ENTRANCE RITEEntrance Hymn:
Wedding March
Opening Prayer: All stand.

Celebrant: In the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:
And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray. Father, you have made the bond of marriage a
holy mystery, a symbol of Christ’s love for his Church. Hear our prayers
for XXX and YYY. With faith in you and in each other, they pledge
their love today. May their lives always bear witness to the reality of
that love. We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever.

LITURGY OF THE WORDOld Testament Reading:
The
reader goes to the lectern. All sit and listen. Read by Jino Jacob.

A reading from the book of Genesis.
Chapter 2 Verse 18 to 24

Part-3

The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be
alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” So the Lord God formed
out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to
see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would
be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the
air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner
for the man.

So the
Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took
out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The Lord God
then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When
he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of
my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called ‘woman’, for
out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one body.

This is the word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm:
Choir sings. All are free to join.

New Testament Reading: The reader goes to the
lectern. All sit and listen. Read by Jordana Saint-Prix.

A reading from the first letter of St.
Paul to the Corinthians. Chapter 13 Verse 1 to 7

If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love,
I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.

If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there
are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to
move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all.

Part-4

If I
give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them
take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good
whatsoever.

Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never
boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take
offence, and is not resentful.

Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth;
it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever
comes.

Love
does not come to an end.
This is the word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading: The
celebrant goes to the lectern. All sit and listen. A
reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Chapter 5 Verse 1 to
12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the
mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He
began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the
meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the
merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the
sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are
you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil
against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward
will be great in heaven.”

The
Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Introductory Address:
All stand, including the bride and groom, and the priest addresses them:

My dear friends, you have come together
in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the
presence of the Church’s minister and this community. Christ abundantly
blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he
enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may
assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so,
in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.

Part-5

Statement of Intentions:The priest then questions the bride and groom
about their freedom of choice, faithfulness to each other, and the
acceptance and upbringing of children. The bride and groom answer the
questions separately.

XXX and
YYY, have you come here
freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in
marriage?

Will you love and honour each other as husband and wife for the rest of
your lives?

Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according
to the law of Christ and his Church?

Consent and Reception
of Consent: The priest invites the couple to declare their consent.

Celebrant: Since it your intention to
enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent
before God and his Church.

Groom: I, XXX, take you, YYY, to be my wife. I promise to be true
to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love
you and honour you all the days of my life.

Bride: I, XXX, take you, YYY, to be my husband. I promise to be
true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will
love you and honour you all the days of my life.

Celebrant: You have declared your consent before the Church. May the
Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his
blessings.

What God has joined, men must not divide.
All: Amen.

Blessing of Thali

Celebrant: Lord Jesus,
who accepted the church as your spouse by your death on the cross, bless
this cross that binds the bride and groom in faith and love. May this
Thali, which is a symbol of unity, bind them in invisible love and
fidelity. Let this cross give them the strength to accept all the
difficulties they may encounter in their life, and to lead a holy life
according to your will. Celebrant sprinkles
holy water.

Blessing of Manthrakodi

Celebrant: Merciful
Lord, who decorated our souls with the eternal cloth of grace, bless
this garment. Bless this couple so that they may wear you always through
complete dedication and mutual love. Let them live in this world without
sin and receive the garment of glory in heaven. Celebrant sprinkles holy water.

The groom ties Thali around bride’s neck
and then covers the head of the bride with Manthrakodi

Part-6

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

Celebrant: May the Lord bless these rings
which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.

All: Amen.

The groom places his wife’s ring on her
ring finger and says: XXX,
take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.The bride places her husband’s
ring on his ring finger and
says:

YYY, take this ring as a sign on my love and fidelity. In the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Bride & Groom keeping the right hand on the Bible repeat after the
priest:

Bride & Groom: We solemnly pledge that we will live in one accord, in
joy and sorrow, in wealth and poverty, in health and sickness, with
mutual love and fidelity until our death. We command to you O Lord, this
is our promise, by the Holy Bible.

Prayer of the Faithful

Dear friends, having just witnessed the
exchange of vows between Diya and Sandeep, we now turn to the Heavenly
Father and pray that He may shower his blessings on them. Your response
to every petition will be: Lord, bless their love.

We pray for XXX and YYY that their love which has brought them
together today may mature into a deep, strong bond and that they may be
able to live joyfully the pledge they have made to each other today. For
this we pray to you O Lord.

All: Lord, bless their love.

Lord, we ask you to bless the parents, grandparents and near and dear
ones of the newly wed couple. They have brought them up with so much
love and affection and prepared them for this great day. Grant them long
life and happiness to witness in turn the happiness of their children
and grandchildren.

All: Lord, bless their love.

For relatives and friends who walk with us on life’s journey, and for
those who have gone before us. Let us Pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, bless their love.

Heavenly Father, we place all our petitions at your feet. There may be
many more we would like to make, which remain unexpressed, silent
desires of our hearts. May you look after our needs and may we be ever
grateful to you, we pray to the Lord.

Part-7

All: Amen.LITURGY OF THE
EUCHARIST

Prayer Over the Gifts

Celebrant: Lord, accept the gifts we offer you on this happy day. In
your fatherly love watch over and protect XXX and YYY whom you have
united in marriage. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Preface

Celebrant: Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we do well always
and everywhere to give you thanks. By this sacrament your grace united
man and woman in an unbreakable bond of love and peace.

You
have designated the chaste love of husband and wife for the increase
both of the human family and of your own family born in baptism.

You
are the loving Father of the world of nature; you are the loving Father
of the new creation of grace. In Christian marriage you bring together
the two orders of creation: nature’s gift of children enriches the
world, and your grace enriches also your Church.

Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the saints praise and
worship your glory. May our voices blend with theirs as we join in
their unending hymn:

All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin
against us. Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil.

We pray for XXX and YYY that their love which has brought them
together today may mature into a deep, strong bond and that they may be
able to live joyfully the pledge they have made to each other today. For
this we pray to you O Lord.

All: Lord, bless their love.

Lord, we ask you to bless the parents, grandparents and near and dear
ones of the newly wed couple. They have brought them up with so much
love and affection and prepared them for this great day. Grant them long
life and happiness to witness in turn the happiness of their children
and grandchildren.

All: Lord, bless their love.

For relatives and friends who walk with us on life’s journey, and for
those who have gone before us. Let us Pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, bless their love.

Heavenly Father, we place all our petitions at your feet. There may be
many more we would like to make, which remain unexpressed, silent
desires of our hearts. May you look after our needs and may we be ever
grateful to you, we pray to the Lord.

Lord you are the author of marriage and our guiding
light. We ask you to watch over XXX and YYY and all married
couples. May each day of their married life bring them closer to you
because of your continuing guidance and care. We ask this through Christ
our Lord.

All: Amen.

Part-8

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Prayer Over the Gifts

Celebrant: Lord, accept the gifts we
offer you on this happy day. In your fatherly love watch over and
protect XXX and YYY whom you have united in marriage. We ask this
through Christ our Lord.

Preface

Celebrant: Father, all powerful and
ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
By this sacrament your grace united man and woman in an unbreakable bond
of love and peace.

You have designated the chaste love of husband and wife for the increase
both of the human family and of your own family born in baptism.

You are the loving Father of the world of nature; you are the loving
Father of the new creation of grace. In Christian marriage you bring
together the two orders of creation: nature’s gift of children enriches
the world, and your grace enriches also your Church.

Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the saints praise and
worship your glory. May our voices blend with theirs as we join in
their unending hymn:

All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin
against us. Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil.

Nuptial Blessing

Celebrant: My dear friends, let us turn
to the Lord and pray that he will bless with his grace XXX now married
in Christ to YYY and that he will unite in love the couple he has
joined in this holy bond.

All pray silently for a short while.

Father, by your power you have made everything out of nothing. In the
beginning you created the universe and made mankind in your own
likeness. You gave man the constant help of woman so that man and woman
should no longer be two, but one flesh, and you teach us that what you
have united may never be divided.

Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that
it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.

Father, by your plan man and woman are united, and married life has been
established as the one blessing that was not forfeited by original sin
or washed away in the flood.

Look with love upon this woman, your
daughter, now joined to her husband in marriage. She asks your
blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace.

May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are
sung in the scriptures.

May her husband put his trust in her and recognize that she is his equal
and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he always honour her
and love her as Christ loves his bride, the Church.

Father, keep them always true to your commandments. Keep them faithful
in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life.

Part-9

Give
them the strength which comes from the gospel so that they may be
witnesses of Christ to others. Bless them with children and help them
be good parents. May they live to see their children’s children. And,
after a happy old age, grant them fullness of life with the saints in
the Kingdom of heaven.

We ask
this though Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

All present show their peace and love for each other by bringing their
palms together in a sign of peace.

Choir: Sings Communion Hymn Ave Maria. All those who wish to receive
communion proceed to the front, while other remain seated.

Prayer After Communion

Celebrant: Lord, in your love you have
given us this Eucharist to unite us with one another and you. As you
have made XXX and YYY one in this sacrament of marriage and the
sharing of the one bread and one cup, so now make them one in love for
each other.

As ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

CONCLUDING RITE

Final Blessing

Celebrant: God the eternal Father keep
you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may stay with
you and be always in your home.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: May your children bless you, your friends console you, and
all men live in peace with you.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world
so that the afflicted and the needy will find in you generous friends,
and welcome you into the joys of heaven.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: And may almighty god bless you all, the Father and the son, +
and the Holy Spirit.

YYYOctober 9, 2005
Nothing is worth more
than this day
__GoetheTHE WEDDING OFXXX
and
YYY

October 9, 2005
Nothing is worth more than this day

—
Goethe

Part-1

Christian Marriage

The deep
love of a man and a woman that is expressed in marriage is the most perfect
union that we know in this world.

It is the most profound “I Do” that two persons may speak to each other.

It is a complete union of life and love- an intermingling of two lives that
now become one.

The marriage union we will witness today is a sacred event. This sacred
union is our prayer to God to receive this gift of love, to bless it and
perfect it through His Holy Spirit so that this marriage may be a living
witness to the love of Christ for his Church.

This marriage speaks of the promise of God’s Presence - the presences that
raises this marriage to a new and higher level and reveals the true meaning
of Christian love.

The various symbols used in this ceremony today present this meaning to us:

Symbol of the Procession: The bride and groom are led into church, just as
their own union they are led into a deep relationship in a life centered in
Christ. Christ becomes the focal point of their relationship.

Symbol
of the Wedding Ring: The wedding ring is a symbol of the exclusive
commitment of this couple. It is a circle without beginning or end and
expresses the eternal love to which we are called - a love that finds
its model in Jesus Christ.

How They Met

Six years ago, XXX and YYY met while
working together in the blistering heat collecting the admission fee for
a church function. They were both cordial to one another and shared a
few laughs. As a result of the event, XXX and YYY became
acquaintances and shared jokes in passing, mostly about each other’s
fancy shoes.

A mutual friend, Loreene Neal, an earthly angel, vehemently attempted to
make a ‘love connection’ between the two. She would often drop little
hints to XXX and YYY about what a wonderful couple they would be.
Her famous line was ‘he loves fancy shoes and so do you, it’s a match
made in heaven.’

Finally, one Sunday morning after worship, she cornered XXX and YYY,
and with her angelic smile suggested or should we say demanded that XXX
take YYY to brunch. In true XXX fashion, he responded with a curt
remark, but obediently, yet reluctantly escorted YYY to brunch. That
Sunday, XXX and YYY shared a blissful brunch together at XXX
favorite local restaurant, unaware of the inevitable connection that was
about to form.

Part-2

About an hour into the date, in true XXX fashion, she was scheduled
to be somewhere else within minutes. Not to be rude and cut the date so
abruptly, XXX extended an invitation for YYY to join her at her
next appointment; a visit with a realtor to scope out a potential
property. Upon arriving to the house (which was a total flop), the
realtor greeted Xxx, then extended his hand and greeted Ilan, ‘nice
to meet you Mr. Xxx.’ From that moment on, Xxx and Ilan (aka Mr.
Xxx) began to forge a relationship that would be strongly rooted in
loyalty, trust, and understanding.

Since that first date, there has been many special moments shared in
that same restaurant, numerous visits with realtors, and many greetings
extended to Ilan as Mr. Xxx. This October, Xxx and Ilan will
officially become Mr. and Mrs.Xxx, Oops! that’s Mr.and Mrs. xxx!

Loreene has gone home to be with the Lord, but we dedicate this ceremony
to her memory and her determination to connect two separate souls that
will now lead life as one soul and one being.

In the spirit of remembrance, we light
the candles to honor our friends and family who have passed over and
dwell with our Creator. Their presence is invoked, as we ask that they
be with us in our thoughts. Each person lighting a candle has a personal
connection to those we are honoring.

Oris xxx
In remembrance of
Horace’sGrandparents

XXX
In remembrance of
Xxx’s Grandparents

XXX
In remembrance of XXX

Jourdan Archer-Sizemore

In remembrance of Ron Archer-Sizemore

Alexis Neal
In remembrance of Loreene Neal

Dominique Glover
In remember of Our Friends and Family

***
Horace Ilan xxx
In remembrance of Horace
xxx and
Dawn xxx

Our Heritage

In nearly all African cultures, the
wedding contained much symbolism involving the bringing together of two
families. African weddings are a family affair and involve combining of
two lives, two families, and two communities. In true essence of our
heritage, we will impart several rituals throughout the ceremony to
acknowledge our true lineage.

Tasting of the Four Elements

The bride and groom taste four flavors
that represent different elements within a relationship. By tasting each
of the flavors, the couple symbolically demonstrated that they would be
able to get through the hard times in life, and in the end, enjoy the
sweetness of their marriage.

The bride and groom is literally and
symbolically bound together at the wrists during the ceremony. A sash of
kente cloth will bind the couple together.

An Illustration of
How A Man and Woman

complement each other:

“He is thought - She is language.

He is Law - She is prudence.

He is reason - She is sense.

He is right - She is duty.

He is author - She is work.

He is patience - She is Peace.

He is will - She is action.

He is mercy - She is gift.

He melody - She is note.

He is fuel - She is fire.

He is sun - She is glory.

He is space - She is orbit.

He is
wind - She is motion.

He is ocean -
She is shore.

He is day - She is night.

He is
lamp - She is light.

He is owner -
She is wealth.

He is
music - She is rhyme.

He is
justice - She is truth.

He is channel
- She is stream.

He is
flagstaff - She is flag.

He is
strength - She is beauty.

He is body - She is soul.”

A Special Thank You

To our loving parents, we thank you for
your unyielding love and support throughout our lives and this
courtship. Your unconditional love for us has demonstrated how we should
love each and our family. Your uncompromising faith in God has taught us
that all things are possible if we believe. Your tenacity has taught us
how to stay steadfast in prayer as we endure tough times. Your gentle
smiles and hugs of reassurance have taught us the act of love. Your
humor has taught us to enjoy life and its many pleasures and
uncertainties. Your tears have taught us how to express our inner
feelings, while leaning on God for healing.

Part-5

We honor you and admire you, for without you this day would not have
been possible.

A
special thank you to the staff of A Perfect Guest Event Planner Services
for making our dream a reality.

To
Our Guest

We
thank you, each and every one, for joining us this evening. You have
added to our happiness in a very special way. As the years shall come
and go our dreams will give us pleasure and bring you back to us again
in memories to treasure.